Hot Summer Arts, Bahamian Florida Day, and More Coming Your Way!

With leisure travel becoming more a standard part of everyone’s lifestyle, arts related tourism has been a significant beneficiary. Whether it is travel to France to visit the Louvre Museum in Paris, the Tadolini Museum in Rome or a day at a local art show or festival, art and cultural tourism keeps people on the move.

Nancy Turrell, CFRE, the executive director of The Arts Council, serving Stuart and Martin County, will be in the studio this week to talk art. When Radio Man heard about an Arts Council special event coming up soon called Hot Summer Arts - "Bahamian Florida Day" Island Market, he knew he had to ask Nancy to be on the show. In addition to what’s happening on the local Treasure Cost arts scene, Ms. Turrell will give us a look at what the arts organizations themselves are specifically doing to promote tourism in our Treasure coast region. Nancy is never at a loss for words, so fasten your seat belts. This should be fun.

The rest of the show will cover a variety of tourism related tidbits including:

• 15 Ways Consumers Can Reduce Airfare Costs and Avoid Those Pesky Added Fees
• 50 Americanisms or-How to NOT Sound Like an American When Overseas
• Bahama Updates
• History Lady’s Historical Cocktail Party Conversation Starters
• And a whole lot more…. 

Tune in Friday (July 29) morning at 10 a.m. (WPSL 1590 AM or www.wpsl.com) and take another virtual vacation, compliments of Talkin’ Tourism.

RV Lifestyle--a multi-million dollar industry in the U.S.

John McCluskey and Vince Ginnizzaro from
Florida Outdoor RV Center helped educate
Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and listeners
on the RV Lifestyle.

The old saying “See the USA in your Chevrolet” has taken on a whole new meaning. Apparently many people today are seeing the USA in their Fleetwood, Coachmans, Crossroad or Winnebago.

Talkin’ Tourism finally delved into the RV Lifestyle with Florida Outdoor RV Center president and owner John McCluskey and service manager Vince Ginnizzaro

The conversation was very enlightening as John described the size of this multi-billion dollar industry in the US. That economic impact does not even count the “trickle down” of revenues associated with the actual use of RV’s in this country. History Lady and Radio Man were surprised to learn that it is not just “grey nomads” that make up the lion’s share of the market. So, just how is the market divided up? We definitely talked about that. Another interesting point in the conversation focused on fuel efficiency and cost. The Talkin’ Tourism team was pleased to learn that compared to other forms of travel, RVing is very cost efficient, especially since you are carrying your accommodations with you! How do RV’ers reduce their carbon footprint? One way is towing a fuel efficient car, and often bicycles and scooters as other forms of transportation, to use when reaching the planned destination--making this type of travel a very “green” concept.

The RV Lifestyle conversation was very lively, which is a nicer way to explain hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors did not get the chance to explore the RV Lifestyle in other countries so they will have to extend that conversation to a future show.

Thanks John and Vince for a great show and lots of great information.

Download the audio file here and If you are wondering if the the RV Lifestyle is for you, download the audio file HERE—this show may just convince you to find out more!

The RV lifestyle in the U.S. and overseas

The RV lifestyle, camping Robin Hicks-Connors style.
Photo credit: RVBasics.com.

Many years ago, Radio Man’s mom and dad had the urge to travel and hit the open road as alternatives to their Cape Cod weekends. They purchased a 23 foot Kountry Aire trailer and the rest was history. In addition to weekend trips, they made their first trips to Florida with their trailer and Radio Man remembers staying at the Bryn Mawr Trailer Park and Campground on North Hutchinson Island, as well as Yacht Haven Trailer Park in Ft. Lauderdale. This is back in the ‘60’s.

Fast forward to 2011. From those early days, a whole culture has evolved known as the 'RV Lifestyle.' Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin remarked, "Now I think that this is camping Robin Hicks-Connors style!"

Joining radio’s biggest tourism fans Gary and Robin will be John McCluskey, president of Florida Outdoors RV Center. The RV lifestyle as it has come to be known is a very significant travel and tourism sector. Talkin’ Tourism will delve into the history of the RV lifestyle in the U.S and overseas, the current size of the industry and more.

Here are some things we hope we will learn:

• Who owns RV’s
• What different types are there
• What do the cost
• What is the RV lifestyle all about
• Where do people go
• What has been the impact of increased fuel prices
• What makes Florida Outdoors “different”
• So what are RV fulltimers, workampers, and how about grey nomads? 

All this and much more on this Friday’s edition of Talkin’ Tourism on WPSL 1590 AM or streaming live at www.wpsltv.com. Let’s go RV’ing!

A trip to Gregory Town, Eleuthera in the Bahamas, summer travel tips, and travel rituals

Indeed the pineapples were sweet last week as special guest co-host Ed Griffith and Jensen Beach, Florida Chamber of Commerce executive director Ron Rose provided a marvelous recap of their experience at the recent Pineapple Festival in Gregory Town, Eleuthera. Amazingly, the Sister City relationship between Gregory Town, Eleuthera and Jensen Beach, Florida has been in existence for 21 years! This down home event, celebrates Eleuthera’s roots as a major pineapple producer and an island rich in Bahamian culture and history.

Ed and Ron focused on many details that made the trip so great, but the conversation always came back around to the extreme hospitality displayed by Eleutherans everywhere the two went.

The rest of the show was devoted to a random group of interesting and fun topics including a list of retailers and merchants who are helping travelers with the price of gas, what vacation destinations in the U.S. are the “coolest” (in more ways than temperature), what are some peculiar PDR’s (personal travel rituals) that some travelers perform, and last but not the least important, nine thrifty travel tips to help stretch your travel budget.

As always, it was great to have Ed in the studio and always a pleasure to share some time with the one and only Ron Rose.

The show's audio file will be posted as soon as it is available. See you all next week and thanks for listening!

The sweetest pineapple in the world: Eleuthera, Bahamas!

Taking some time off from being a tourist (recent visit to Nassau and shows from Abaco, Grand Bahama twice, and Heathcote Botanical Gardens), Talkin’ Tourism will be back in its home studio at Sailfish Marina, Stuart, Florida. Joining Radio Man this week will be special guest co-host Ed Griffith, the general manager of the Courtyard Marriott-Hutchinson Island.

Ed had the opportunity to visit Gregory Town Eleuthera, Bahamas for the town's annual Pineapple Festival and Talkin’ Tourism wants to hear all the details. This is particularly big news since a major Treasure Coast “connection” exists between Jensen Beach, Florida and Gregory Town, Eleuthera; these two towns have shared a 20-plus year Sister City relationship. Pass the pineapples (or BOOM pineapple wine) please!

Ed and Gary, will touch upon a number of topics that you will find of interest including;

• How merchants and retailers help make a difference on the high cost of gas. We all need a little help in easing this burden of the cost of travel!
• Nine thrifty travel tips. Who doesn’t need “thrifty?"
• How to get the most happiness out of a vacation. Isn’t that what vacations are all about!
• Hot tips for Travelers: The coolest, most overlooked vacation destinations for the summer. Definitely need a break from the summer heat…but where?
• And, a look at personal travel rituals (PTR). Do you have one? If you do, and are willing to share,  email us at talkintourism@gmail.com  and we'll share your PTR with our listening audience.

And, to round out the hour, expect all the usual Bahamas info and Treasure Coast happenings.

Join us this Friday at 10:05 a.m. on your radio dial at WPSL 1590 AM or catch the live stream from your computer at www.wpsltv.com

See you Friday morning!

The serenity of gardens and the art of bonsai

Amy Dahan, Adina Lerhman, Robin Hicks-Connors,
Patrick Giacobee and Gary Guertin on location at
Heathcote Gardens, Fort Pierce, Florida.

Lately it seems that Talkin’ Tourism has been spending lots of time "in the bush."  But this time, the bush was  the beauty and serenity of Heathcote Botanical Gardens in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Host Gary Guertin shared with listeners that on his recent visits to The Retreat in Nassau, Bahamas (headquarters for the Bahamas National Trust) and Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre (also located in Nassau), it was fascinating to walk the garden paths, which led from one “room” to another. In Radio Man's (Gary's island name) words: "You could pretend that you were anywhere in the tropical world!"  With co-host Robin Hicks-Connors (aka History Lady) back on the show, the radio duo enjoyed walking colorful gardens from around the world in along Florida's Treasure Coast.

Leading the botanical charged episode was Amy Dahan, the director of  Heathcote Botanical Gardens. Amy is passionate about what she does, and she shared the colorful history of the gardens, illustrating with words how it evolved into what it is today. Laying claim to fame for one of the largest bonsai collections in the world by a single bonsai master, James J. Smith, Heathcote’s bonsai curator, Patrick Giacobbe dazzled the show's hosts with his knowledge of the art of bonsai gardening. If you listened in, you learned along with Gary and Robin that the art is indeed “bonsai” not “banzai,” as in Banzai Pipeline.

Adina Lerhman, Heathcote education coordinator brought back shades of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s with her knowledge and passion for all things organic. Yes, Heathcote has a Community Garden but what is done with the produce? Is tilling the soil bad? If yes, why? Even if you are not a plant fan, you should find the answers to these questions pretty interesting.

Bahamas Updates were covered, along with some great Treasure Coast activities, including  the Martin County 5th Annual Reef Builders Fishing Tournament and Lionfish Round Up, as well as the Hobe Sound B-B-Q festival.

Last but not least, the show had an unexpected caller, who was involved with Heathcote Nursery back in the earliest of days. Normally call-ins aren't taken, but this was an exception. Benjamin made the show with his first-hand recollection of working with the nursery and the Crimmins family, who founded the nursery many years ago. Many thanks to Benjamin for calling in.

For a look at Heathcote Botanical Gardens, be sure to check out this week's photo album, which is below!

For your listening pleasure, here's the audio file of this episode.

See you on Friday for another edutaining edition of Talkin' Tourism.

One of a Kind Botanical Escapes: Heathcote Botanical Garden

The tranquility and beauty of Heathcote Botanical
Garden in St. Lucie County, Florida awaits you.
Photo credit: sandrafriend@flickr.com.

The Treasure Coast is blessed with  varied ecosystems making it a great vacation destination for nature lovers.  In addition to the natural preserves and refuges, there are a number of attractions that offer the visitor the opportunity to learn more about our environment and to get “up close and personal” with flora and fauna they may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience.  

Heathcote Botanical Gardens (HBG), located in St. Lucie County, Florida, is one such attraction. HBC consists of an assortment of specialty gardens including a Japanese garden, a reflection garden, herb garden, rainforest display, a native plants garden and a palm and cycad walk garden. Of special note is the Jim J. Smith Bonsai Collection which is reported to be the largest in the world. There are many individuals who had a role this world-class exhibit. Tune in for the show to find out who they were. Some of the names may surprise you! 

Talkin’ Tourism constantly strives to find unique and interesting attractions that help create “one of a kind”  destinations. This week's show won't disappoint.

HBC executive director Amy Dahan, along with members of her staff and volunteers, will share the unique experiences and educational opportunities found at Heathcote Botanical Gardens.  Expected to appear as guests are: Bonsai curator, Patrick Giacobbe; organic garden coordinator, Adina Lehman; and education coordinator Nan Billings.  If you are in to plants and all things green, this is a show you will not want to miss.

In addition to strolling the grounds of Heathcote Botanical Gardens, hosts Robin Hicks-Connors and Gary Guertin will have the usual (and sometimes unusual), updates on Treasure Coast and Bahamas happenings, travel tips and much more. 

See you in 'the green' of Heathcote Botanical Gardens!

Talkin' Tourism at the Abaco Inn, Elbow Cay, Abaco, Bahamas - May 2011

In case you missed the live show from the Abaco Inn on Elbow Cay, Abaco Bahamas, here's the video edition. Besides all the great information contained on the audio file, here you can see show guests and photographs from around Abaco.

Enjoy!

Click to Play

Join Talkin' Tourism on a trip to Abaco in the beautiful Bahamas. This episode host Gary Guertin introduces listeners to tourism and environmental leaders, educators, a film producer, and the inn keeper of the Abaco Inn on Elbow Cay. Hear how private partnerships are helping promote tourism to Abaco, explore how to get married in the Bahamas, and learn about the environmental education programs in place to protect this Bahamian treasure.